Community Priorities for Outcomes Targeted During Professional Supports for Autistic Children and their Families.

Participants were recruited via social media and professional networks, which may bias the sample towards those already engaged with autism advocacy or neurodiversity-affirming views. Most participants identified as female and of European heritage, limiting generalisability to other genders and cultural backgrounds. Autistic participants had largely not accessed professional supports during childhood, so their ratings may not reflect the experience of children currently receiving therapy. The study relied on self-report, so participants' stated priorities may not match what they actually do or receive in daily life. Māori, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander peoples were not well represented, so findings cannot be generalised to Indigenous communities.

The study was funded by Griffith University. Three autistic individuals received an honorarium for their involvement in the research team.

Do not assume that all practitioners share the view that reducing sensory seeking or social skills training is inappropriate. Parents were significantly more likely than non-parents to rate these as appropriate targets, indicating a potential conflict between community and parent expectations that requires negotiation.